Antigua Police Chief Suspended

Police Commissioner, Vere Browne

JOHN’S, Antigua, CMC – Police Commissioner, Vere Browne, has been suspended, as the Police Service Commission (PSC) investigates four incidents, which it said could adversely impact the discipline and morale of members of the Antigua and Barbuda Police Force.

In the suspension letter dated January 15, and copied to Prime Minister, Gaston Browne, and two others, Browne was informed that he failed to give a proper reason for not acting on the four complaints.

Browne, who has so far refused to comment on his suspension, has been ordered “to hand over command of the Royal Police of Antigua & Barbuda and the Fire Brigade, and all articles under your control, to Acting Deputy Commissioner of Police, Wendell Robinson.”

Browne is alleged to have taken no action after ammunition had been found at a house in Barbuda, occupied by the nephew of a senior police officer. He is also accused of failing to publish the promotion list for the Fire Brigade, even after the PSC noted that the approved list had been sent to him last month.

The letter which accuses Browne of dereliction of duty and irresponsibility does not indicate the length of the suspension. But it said he would receive full pay while away from the post.